Everett Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)

TAC MINUTES April 21, 2013 In attendance: Members Staff Ed Koltonowski Ryan Sass, Everett PW Michael Brick, Everett PW Tom Norcott Tim Miller, Everett PW Richard Tarry, Everett PW Shawn Smith George Baxter, Transit Annie Peterson, Sno Health Dist J.T. Dray Jeraud Irving, Everett PD Kris Hausmann Bruce Bosman, Everett PD Victor Harris Jeffrey Marks, Everett PW Robert Strickland Paul Roberts, (liaison) William Weber Ken Dorn, Everett PD 8:18 a.m. Shawn Smith called the meeting to order.  M/S/P approving March 2013 meeting minutes.  Bob Strickland talked about developing a list of future agenda items which the committee would have an interest in addressing. Announcements  Welcome to Bill Weber. Ryan spoke about how Bill was integral to the bike planning effort earlier. He also has a background in transportation and works in with the school district. Citizen’s Comments  None. Engineering Report  Ryan updated the committee on the upcoming Broadway Bridge replacement. He said the plans are essentially complete. The environmental report is due back from the state – leaving the railroad as the final hurdle. When complete, dates will be easier.  Victor asked about street closures, and if the railroad could bypass the tunnel? Ryan said that technically the railroad could bypass the tunnel, but the geometry may not be good.  J.T. mentioned that he was on a Community Transit bus and, as a result of a conversation with the CT driver, wondered if CT was aware of the Broadway Bridge project and how that might affect CT’s routes through the area. Ryan said that CT was aware of the project, though they may not have communicated it completely to their drivers as yet.  Ed asked about the diversion routes. Ryan gave a quick overview of some of the detours, but mentioned greater detail will be given the closer we get to the date. Police Report  Sergeant Bosman mentioned the half-marathon occurring a week from Sunday. As a result of the Boston Marathon bombings, a bomb squad will be out, in combination with traffic control officers. He’s expecting 2000+ spectators. The marathon runs between 7:30 and 11:00 a.m.  Ed brought up the topic of “Target Zero.” Sergeant Dorn explained that Target Zero was a program intending to eliminate any fatality collisions by DUI. He stated that Snohomish County leads the state in success for DUI’s dropping. Fatalities and other crashes are also down.  Sergeant Dorn said that Target Zero is becoming such a great success it will be going to Spokane and Yakima. Funding for the project continues to roll in because it is such a great success.  Victor asked about how some establishments are over-serving drinks. Were these establishments on any kind of list? Sergeant Dorn said that law enforcement works in concert with the liquor control board. They do find out which establishments are over-serving, so enforcement goes in and educates the staff. He said establishments are cooperative, as they want to retain their liquor license. Transit Report  George reported that Transit has completed installing 28 new bus shelters, mostly along the Evergreen Way corridor. Next up: benches and trash cans.  The new buses and vans reported in earlier TAC meetings have arrived. They should be in service by mid-May.  The bus stop at 23rd and Broadway is having some accessibility issues due to the street caving in. Transit is working with PW personnel to correct the issue.  Radio system upgrades are moving forward. Transit has received the FCC license to create a new system to move data off of cell phones over to the radio. This will save a lot of money.  City Council has awarded KPFF for putting together the parking structure engineering design plan. Hoped for complete for this preliminary work is by end of year.  George said that Transit is putting together a “Be Nice” campaign. He described it as a customer service campaign encouraging voluntary compliance for bus rules. The goal is to try and make trips pleasant, and it has been noted that many citizens have helped bus drivers in the past in helping with other passengers. Transit wanted to recognize and honor these citizens.  Ed asked what the citizens receive. George talked about buttons which could be redeemable for something. Written material about the campaign is coming. The campaign, overall, is considered very “low-key”.  Paul asked about Sound Transit and Everett Transit’s security issues around Everett station. George said Tom Hingson is working directly with Sound Transit, so he wasn’t sure what the status was. Some discussion ensued about Sound Transit and Everett Transit security coordination at Everett Station. J.T. mentioned he has seen Sound Transit security and more police presence at Everett station these days. Agenda Items: Item 1 Transit Bus Stop Crash Analysis The question was raised at the last TAC meeting about pedestrian safety at Transit bus stops. There had recently been an accident near the Broadway McDonald’s where a pickup had crashed into the bus shelter and injured a pedestrian. The driver was reportedly impaired. Michael Brick presented a table detailing all types of crashes recorded in the City from 2010 to 2012 (3 year period) within 100 feet of a bus stop. Citywide overall figures showed that pedestrian injuries at bus stops were less than 1/10th of one percent of all crashes recorded. Statistically, pedestrians are safe. Item 2 2014-2019 6-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Richard Tarry presented the list of possible projects the City might consider within the next 6 years. Due to Federal and State grant requirements, these projects need to be listed, whether they are likely to be implemented or not. Ryan explained that with most of the projects being funded by grants, sometimes the “flavor” of what projects grants will cover can change periodically, so the list needs to contain a myriad of possibilities to match available grant funds. Richard expressed that the TAC and the Planning Commission review the list and make recommendations, which will then go before City Council for approval in June. Tom asked if the TAC could see what projects were completed from last year’s list. Richard said he would look into it. Ed asked about comparison spending from year-to-year, to provide a snapshot. Richard will be back in May with requests for TAC recommendations for the City Council to approve. Meeting adjourned at 9:25am The Next Scheduled Meeting is Thursday May 16, 2013